What is Feline AIDS (FIV)?
Feline AIDS is caused by infection with Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV). FIV causes a potentially fatal viral disease that interferes with the immune system of a cat. The virus lives in the blood of the infected cat and is carried in its system throughout its life. Cats infected with FIV may remain healthy for up to 10 years. While some infected cats show no signs of disease, others may display initial symptoms, such as fever loss of appetite diarrhea lethargy poor hair coat FIV is spread from cat to cat primarily through bite wounds since the virus is shed in high levels through saliva. An actual bite wound is an integral part of the disease transmission. Although rare, it is possible for a mother to pass the infection on to her unborn fetus.
